4/02/18 Ephesians 6:19-24 “Spiritual warfare and suffering”
We now get to the
concluding comments of this epistle, personal requests and acknowledgements,
greetings and farewells.
Ephesians 6:19 – And for
me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to
make known the mystery of the gospel,
utterance – logos See 1 Corinthians 12:8 – For to one is given by the
Spirit the word (logos) of wisdom; to another the word
(logos) of knowledge by the same
Spirit;
Paul wasn’t asking
for the ability to say something; rather, he was asking for the right words to
say when he needed to say them.
Matthew 10:19 – But when they deliver you up, take no thought how
or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye
shall speak.
It is the hearing
of the word of the gospel that leads to our faith in the One who promises such
salvation.
Romans 10:17 – So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God. Where
“word” is rhema or the utterance (of God).
Note also that
while the gospel is acknowledged to be a mystery (mysterion),
Paul also desires to make it known to those to whom he speaks.
boldly – (“in boldness”) with confidence; openly;
frankly; without reserve; without ambiguity.
Ephesians 6:20 – For which
I am an ambassador in bonds (in a chain): that
therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
boldly – the verb form of “boldly” in Vs 19 above.
ought – ought; necessary; right and proper
When you are in
prison, you might feel like being very careful about what you say and to whom
you say it! However, as an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) Paul had
an obligation to his ministry to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16), to
preach the word, in season, out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) without fear of those
who might be listening; thus, to speak boldly.
Ephesians 6:21 – But that
ye also may know my affairs, [and] how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother
and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
my affairs – those things concerning me
Tychicus – See Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy
4:12 (where Paul notes that Tychicus has been sent to Ephesus); Titus 3:12.
beloved – agapetos
faithful
minister – pistos diakonos
Because Paul, being
in prison, was unable to personally make known his affairs to the Ephesians, he
sent a faithful (trustworthy) servant whom he trusted to share truthfully
concerning Paul’s situation and needs. Tychicus therefore became Paul’s
spokesman, sharing Paul’s words with the Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:22 – Whom I
have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that]
he might comfort your hearts. (see Colossians 4:8)
comfort – parakaleo (to summon; address; comfort; instruct;
admonish; exhort; beg; entreat; beseech; encourage; strengthen; teach) cf parakletos (translated
Comforter in John 14:16 and Advocate in 1 John 2:1. Advocate is probably
the more correct translation = one who pleads another’s cause before a judge;
an advocate; one who pleads another’s cause with one; an intercessor.)
Tychicus has been
sent for the same purpose that Paul would have liked to have been with them
personally: that those at Ephesus would know how things were going with them at
Rome and that their hearts might be comforted by knowing these things. It could
be translated as “beseech” (entreat) as in the following:
Ephesians 4:1 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Thus, in the
context of today’s passage, Paul could be entreating them to pray for him to
“have utterance” to “open” his “mouth to speak boldly” – Vs 19 above.
Ephesians 6:23-24 – 23 Peace [be]
to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. 24 Grace [be]
with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Written
from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.
Note that in
Ephesians 1:1 that the greeting was to the saints at Ephesus and the faithful
in Christ Jesus, while the benediction here is to the brethren, and all them
that love our Lord Jesus Christ. Note also that Tychicus was the one who wrote
these words out as they had been dictated to him by Paul. It was also written
from Rome. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:12 that he has sent Tychicus to Ephesus. However,
Tychicus (accompanied by Onesimus) may have carried the epistles to the
Colossians (4:7-9) and to Philemon (1:10-12) when he delivered the epistle to
the Ephesians. Thus Tychicus may have done at least two
journeys to Ephesus.
Last week I said
that it was apparent that God had put certain rules in place to control
spiritual warfare. He is sovereign and just – He can make the rules, and also
judge any infringements against those rules. But another major issue appears to
confront most Christians when it comes to serious spiritual warfare: why do
Christians have to suffer such trials against them if they are, in fact, more
than conquerors? Many Christians consequently deny suffering because, they
claim, a victorious Christian life cannot include pain, sickness and suffering.
But, where in the Bible does it teach this? In fact, it only promises such
freedom from pain and suffering once we arrive in heaven.
Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
But, on this earth,
it’s an entirely different story indeed. Peter taught that we were to suffer
after Christ’s example of suffering, that this was acceptable to God.
1 Peter 2:20-21 – 20 For what glory [is it], if, when ye be
buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well,
and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable
with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Paul taught that
our present-day suffering would be significantly less than the consequent glory
we would receive in heaven.
Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present
time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall
be revealed in us.
In particular, Paul
taught that it was the godly Christians who would suffer!
2 Timothy 3:11-12 – 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at
Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them]
all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Jesus taught that
Christians would be hated by the world.
John 15:18-19 – 18 If the world hate you, ye
know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye
were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Christians would
have tribulation in the world.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world.
Christians would be
persecuted and put to death by the world.
John 16:2 – They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the
time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think
that he doeth God service.
There are many more
passages that demonstrate the calling of Christians to suffering, not
the health and wealth gospel which teaches that suffering is the consequence of
our sins, and that God desires to bless us instead, if only we would renounce
our sins. Certainly, if we sin, we can expect God to discipline us as a good
Father should (Hebrews 12). But if all suffering were only the consequence of
our sin, then Paul must have been one of the most sinful people ever!
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 – 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I
[am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in
prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five
times received I forty [stripes] save one. 25 Thrice
was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night
and a day I have been in the deep; 26 [In] journeyings
often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils
by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils
in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the
sea, [in] perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness
and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me
daily, the care of all the churches.
If suffering were
for personal sin, then Jesus must have sinned more than any of us! But, if
Jesus didn’t sin, and if Paul is to be considered a good Christian role model,
then, clearly, much of that suffering is not punishment for our sins.
Especially note that suffering was actually more applicable to godly
Christians!
2 Timothy 3:12 – Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.
(Should this be interpreted as godly Christians sinning more than non-godly
Christians? The health and wealth gospel would seem to teach so!)
So, if much
Christian suffering is not a consequence of our sinful natures, then why does
God permit it? Note that God has promised that all things will work together
for good (Romans 8:28), and that we are to give thanks always for all things
(Ephesians 5:20). If suffering is particularly because we are good Christians,
then it must also be as a result of our calling to ministry. All good
Christians should be living according to their calling to ministry by God. Thus,
it can be seen that such suffering is actually a consequence of our calling to
Christian ministry.
Now look back at 1 Peter 2:21 – For even hereunto were ye
called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow his steps:
(a) We are called;
(b) to follow Christ’s example of suffering; (c) by following in His steps.
Clearly this verse
defines suffering as part of our calling to ministry. But how can suffering be
a part of something that God has called us to do? That’s simple: Christ’s
calling to ministry involved suffering, and so will our call to ministry,
because in each case there is opposition to that ministry. In fact, Christ’s
ministry was to oppose the hold that satan had upon mankind. By dying on the
cross, He redeemed all mankind (paid the price required for their purchase) and
thus took back control of their lives from satan. Did satan oppose Jesus? Yes,
very much so. Does satan still oppose those who are called to follow Jesus?
Yes, still very much so.
While our personal
sin may cause some suffering in our lives, godly Christians will suffer
tribulation simply because they are godly Christians! The enemy doesn’t really
have much concern regarding luke-warm, ineffective
and lazy Christians, but he does mind greatly those who oppose him, and
prevent him from winning – those godly Christians who just won’t give in to satan’s pressure.
This may explain
why Christians (especially godly Christians) suffer, but it doesn’t demonstrate
the purpose God has for permitting such suffering to His more faithful
servants. How can God promise that all things work together for good if the
good Christians suffer for their godly service? How can the spiritual warfare
work together for good such that we are to be even thankful for it?
What if suffering
were necessary so that the gospel would not be hindered? What if the
proclamation of the gospel were enhanced by our suffering?
1 Corinthians 9:12b – (We) suffer (endure) all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of
Christ.
What if, also,
suffering was necessary for us to identify (empathise) with those (including
the lost) who suffer around us?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – 3 Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Even Jesus
identified with our weaknesses in order to prove Himself a merciful and
faithful high priest.
Hebrews 2:17-18 – 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made
like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15-16 – 15 For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5:1-2 – 1 For every high priest taken from among men is
ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both
gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on
the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is
compassed with infirmity.
It is clear,
however, that a major part of this suffering is in the fighting of the
spiritual battle in our ministry from God. But why? For what purpose is it
necessary that Christians go forth and fight an enemy who seeks to destroy them
and their ministry? Aren’t we told to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians
5:17), and that if we pray according to God’s will, he hears us and answers us?
1 John 5:14-15 – 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And
if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the
petitions that we desired of him.
It does seem so
clear, doesn’t it: if we pray for something according to God’s will, He will
grant us our petitions!
So, why do so many
prayers seem to never get answered? Is it because we are not praying according
to God’s will? What about the many prayers for the salvation of another? If
that person doesn’t get saved, then does that mean that it is not God’s will
that they be saved? (Of course, we have to realise that we cannot necessarily
overrule the free will of another person!) But what about those many prayers
that are not for ourselves, yet never seem to get answered, even though they
appear to be according to God’s will? Are we so out of touch with God that most
of our prayers are not according to His will? Why do so many churches have long
lists of prayer needs, yet only occasionally do they proclaim an answered
prayer? Why are most prayers seemingly never answered, such that they just
disappear off the bottom of the prayer list because they’ve been on it for so
long? Questions, questions, questions!
However, we have
been commanded to pray. Many verses teach us about the power of prayer. So what are we getting wrong with our prayer? Why do some
Christians have a powerful prayer life yet others seem to pray a lot without
much outcome? What is it that makes the difference? Is it just possible that
spiritual warfare is a significant factor in whether or not prayer is answered?
What if we not only had to pray without ceasing, but also had to fight without
ceasing as well?
Paul taught that an
essential part of spiritual warfare was putting on the panoply (whole armour)
of God, but also (as we saw last week) prayer is likewise essential in this
battle.
Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for
all saints;
Clearly putting on
the whole armour needs prayer to go with it, but what if the whole armour is
ineffectual without that prayer? And what if prayer is ineffectual without the
whole armour? Many teach that the whole armour is ineffectual without prayer,
but how many teach that prayer is ineffectual without the whole armour? What if
prayer is only effectual when applied with the whole armour of God? What if
prayer isn’t just praising God and asking for things, but if a major part of
that prayer is the taking on the enemy in spiritual battle? What if prayer is
only effectual if we are willing to get hurt (that is, suffer) for the
cause for which we pray? What if effectual prayer means getting hurt?
Suffering? Tribulation? How many Christians would pray if it meant getting hurt
for the sake of their prayers? Yet those who live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
Imagine going into
an old-fashioned grocery shop (where you went to the counter and requested the
attendant to fetch your items and put them into a box on the counter) and, when
all your items were packed, getting asked for your payment. What do you pay for
your groceries? Each item has a price, and so it is all added up; you have to
pay this before you can have your groceries. What if you decide that you won’t
pay the amount asked? What if you decide that you’ll only pay some of the
money? What if you decided to pay nothing, yet still take your box of groceries
away?
We’d quite rightly
think that such a person should pay what is required, within reason. And yet
praying is very much like requesting certain items in that shop, only now the
items are spiritual and it is God whom you are asking to provide with your
items. What do you pay for your prayers? Can you pay nothing yet still get them
all? Can you try to bargain with God to get as much as you can for as little
payment as possible? Do you assume that because you are a Christian, and ask,
then God will give you all good things gratis? Or do you accept that all things
work together for good, including the suffering that God permits in spiritual
warfare, and that, as a godly Christian, you will also accept the cost required
for those prayers? And, what is that cost? Remember, there’s no victory without
a battle and no battle without a cost. If you want to win, you have to risk
getting hurt, especially if it is the fight that all Christians are called to.
Hebrews 12:1-2 – 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with
so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race [agon – conflict;
fight; contention – see 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought (agonizomai)
a good fight (agon)] that is set before us, 2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If Jesus had to suffer for His victory, why shouldn’t we? There’s no
pain-free, sanitised spiritual battle on earth for Christians, for unless we
suffer, we might as well leave prayer well alone!
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